The Big Bear Mountain Resort Patrol department has a new member of its avalanche rescue team: Nala.

The 1-year-old golden retriever/border collie mix who is learning to be an avalanche and search-and-rescue dog lives and trains with Snow Summit Ski Patrol Manager Chris O’Connell, who’s worked at the resort 14 years, nine on the ski patrol.

Nala was chosen because of her breed’s loyalty and drive to work, as well as their amazing noses, O’Connell said.

Nala plays in the snow before her avalanche training exercise at the top of Bear Mountain in Big Bear on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Nala is working to become fully certified as an avalanche-rescue dog, which can take two to three years, O’Connell said. The pair will travel to Wyoming in March to attend the American Avalanche Institute’s K9 Training course, which is based on the Canadian Avalanche Rescue Dog Association, Swiss Alpine Rescue and the Wasatch Backcountry Rescue winter courses.

Nala goes to work with O’Connell every morning, five days a week. They ride together to the top of the mountain by snowmobile or ski lift. They train several times a day in a remote location on top of Bear Mountain.

Nala is trained to use her sense of smell to find and dig out people trapped in snow. Though avalanches are unlikely to occur locally, the goal is to be versatile and to be an asset to the surrounding community, O’Connell said.

“The biggest training challenge is the lack of snowfall and finding the appropriate training area for her,” O’Connell said.

“She’s my best friend, she’s my shadow, she’s one of the kindest dogs that I’ve ever been around,” O’Connell said.

In between avalanche control and training sessions, Nala meets and greets visitors.

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